The capital of the state that shares its name, Campeche is home to military architecture, cobblestone streets, well-preserved mansions and a walled city center. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the fortified town is a model of Spanish colonial city planning. A stroll on Calle 59 leads from city gates Puerta de Tierra, or “door to the land,” to Puerta del Mar, or “door to the sea.” Nearby San Miguel Fort has an excellent archaeological museum of Mayan artifacts, while San Jose Fort features displays of armaments. Within the city, pastel façades and grand colonial churches adorn the shady plazas, and culinary options range from traditional Mayan plates to seafood specialties. Further afield in the state of Campeche are magnificent Mayan ruins of Edzná, the Chenes sites, the ancient city of Calakmul and much more. Should you get enough history, relaxing white sand beaches and a lovely waterfront promenade can be found along the coast.
